Like the Lewis & Clark Trail through the eastern Bitterroots, this trail provided our group the opportunity to visit the trail and campsites that the Corps of Discovery used during Lewis & Clark's expedition in 1805 and 1806. They passed through this section on both the westward 1805 trek while nearly freezing and starving, and on their late June 1806 homeward trek. By the time the Corps of Discover reached this part of the Bitterroots in 1805, they were at their most desperate. We roughly followed the path were the Corps stumbled out onto the Weippe Prairee and were aided by the Nez Perce tribe.Difficulty: Easy to Mild Off-highway miles: 51 Paved miles: 91 Total camp-to-camp miles: 142

Below is an approximation of our route and schedule. It's not turn-by-turn instructions, so you'll need more detailed information to plan your own trip.

Overview / Schedule:Start highway route, Wast on US12Glade Creek to Swan Creek Rd 5503 (From 5502 we expected to take 4x4 route 5502 up past Woodrat Mtn, but it was closed. Next we improvised an alternate 4x4 route, but came to a place made impassable by landslide.)Northerly on 5503 and then 101 to Fan Creek SaddlePast Small Prairie Camp to Lewis & Clark GroveStop at L&C Grove for lunchPheasant Camp L&C sitePeterson CornersWeippe L&C SiteUS12 Junction - Turn LeftUS12 to KamiahUS12 to KoosiaStop at KooskiaKooskia to Glade Creek

Trail Ratings:Trails are rated here on a very simple basis and truthfully there’s much more behind describing trail difficulty than this simplification does justice to. But, for the sake of simplicity these ratings are compared to a typical Syncro’s capability. What’s a typical Syncro? Original 2.1L engine, 14” wheels with 27” LT all-terrain tires, and a rear differential lock.

Syncro Safari Ratings:Easy – 2WD with decent tires and maybe a little ground clearance can do this trail. Mild – Occasional 4WD needed, obstacles are not a real challenge for a Syncro, Diff-lock not needed. Moderate – 4WD often needed, challenging for a Syncro, Diff-lock needed at times, some obstacles require getting out, scouting a route, stacking some rocks. Difficult – 4WD often needed, some obstacles more than a Syncro can handle, Diff-lock often required, significant terrain modification to make passable for a Syncro, damage likely Extreme – Fuh-getaboudit! Serious off-road vehicles needed, not passible by a Syncro